In the middle of pandemic due to several variants of covid19, people easily get sick tremendously. Many people are still recovering from sickness. Some of them are still in the worse medical condition due to complications. Most of the time, these people are bedridden and helpless in the hospital, quarantine facility or home quarantine.
Do you know the feelings of the patient being isolated, bedridden and helpless? Do you know also the feelings of the bedside caregiver monitoring the 24-hour medical condition of the patient? It is very tough to become a patient or a caregiver. Patients and caregivers are really experiencing physical, mental, emotional and financial pains.
Physical Pain
Medical patients are experiencing physical pains. They cannot turn over their bodies by themselves because they are so weak. Their blood cannot circulate well which may turn into bedsores and develop into skin wounds that prone to infection. They cannot open their eyes to see everything around. They cannot open their mouth to say something what they need. They cannot eat well using their mouth. Instead, they eat through nasal tubing that brings out physical discomfort. They can sense the pain while injecting the needles on their bodies. They cannot move their bodies voluntarily. They stay on their body positions for several hours.
Likewise, caregivers of these patients have physical pains too. They stay with them most of the time and monitor their health condition. They patiently lift up the patient’s body when needed. They patiently feed them and allow them sip some liquids in order to prevent dehydration. They quickly respond to the patient’s needs like changing diaper, cleansing the whole body and changing clothes.
Mental Pain
Medical patients are experiencing mental pain. They have many thoughts. They think negatively most of the time. Thoughts like what if they cannot survive. What will happen to them? Who will take good care of their families? Where are my children? Do they come?
Similarly, caregivers have mental pains too. They are worrying about the patient’s severe condition. They are thinking about what will happen next. Thoughts such as what they will tell to their families and how they will tell it. Do they feel sorry about it or just listen to what the family will say? Most of the time, caregivers are confused mentally. They cannot decide wisely on certain things.
Emotional Pain
Medical patients are experiencing emotional pain. They can only hear the voices around. They feel very sad that brings out unstoppable falling tears from their eyes. Patients know that they will die anytime. With their conscious mind, they pray silently. It is really difficult for them to leave their families, relatives and friends. It is very tough and heartbreaking process of separation in their entire life. They want to win the fight for life but they are helpless to do it.
Caregivers have emotional pains too. It is hard for them to look at the patients who are suffering from severe illnesses. They can feel the deep pain internally. They also cry and feel sad. They try to comfort the patients by all means.
Financial Pain
Medical patients and their families are experiencing financial pain. They spend much money and have developed huge debts from hospitalization costs, medical procedures, professional fees and medicines. They spend from hundreds to millions value amount of any currency. The outpatients incur medical expenses, food supplements and other necessary materials such as diapers, alcohol, bath soap and wipes.
Sometimes, caregivers are experiencing financial pain too. Most of the time, the caregivers are close relatives of the patients. If the family has poor economic condition, the caregiver usually provides the needs of the patient unselfishly. Being front liners, caregivers provide their humane services to the patients unconditionally.
It was Saturday before the sun sets in August 20, 1966 at around 6 pm when I was born in our ancestral house at Poblacion, Santa Cruz, Zambales, Philippines. This was my real birthday.
My parents were Guillermo Menes Meron (41) and Teofila Montehermoso Mas (41). Both of them were naturally born and residents of Santa Cruz, Zambales.
My Three Pillars
I spent my childhood and teenage years in my home town. I treasured wonderful and beautiful memories there. My supporting father, caring aunt and loving mother served as the three pillars of my life.
Even though, the three pillars of my life were gone one at a time, still, I really missed and loved them so much. I would like to thank, appreciate and recognize them for their unconditional love; for providing me what I need; for allowing me understand what life is and knowing its purpose.
My Journey
I spent most of my adult years in Meycauayan City, Bulacan, Philippines and some few years abroad rendering essential public services. Life experiences built up stability on me; surpassing any challenges along the way to attain my goals.
My family, friends, relatives and colleagues are always there to advise and help me. Most of all, I would like to thank God for giving me life, blessings and another year; for continuously guiding me on my journey in life.
I wish for a healthy, wealthy and happy life on my birthday.
A mother who is looking and waiting for her loving mother.
What is a Mother’s Day without your loving and caring mother? Do you know that every part of a single mother worth more than a million? Let me explain its value.
Your Head
As a single mother, you used the top of your head to carry a bundle of newly harvested rice grains for meal; a bundle of firewood for cooking or a basin of Anchovy fish for selling. You also used your head to think wisely and find right solutions for the daily problems.
Your Eyes
As a single mother, you kept your eyes to your children for their safety. You used your eyes to discipline your children. Eyes that maybe big and wide; on-focus or understanding and kind-looking to your concern. Sleepless nights in times of sickness of your children just to ensure they were safe.
Your Nose
As a single mother, you used your nose if the newly laundry clothes were smelled pleasant and if the children were smelled stinky already and they need to take a bath.
Your Ears
As a single mother, you used your ears to listen to your children and grandchildren’s amazing stories. Through your ears, you heard the sound of the roosters in the early morning wherein you rise from bed instantly to fetch up water for daily consumption.
Your Mouth
As a single mother, you used your mouth to give pieces of advice to your children and grandchildren. You taught them the right things and told them to become nice and hardworking person with brighter dreams in life.
Your Shoulder
As a single mother, you used your shoulder to carry the “Buli” bag or “Pandan” bag with fruits and vegetables inside when going home after the whole-day work in the rice field.
Your Breast
As a single mother, you breastfed your young children regularly so that they will grow healthy someday and free from any kind of illnesses.
Your Heart
As a single mother, you provided unconditional love to your children and grandchildren. You have a big heart too to your parents, brother, sisters, nephews, nieces, husband and in-laws. You knew how to accept and how to forgive persons. You really loved them so much.
Your Arms
As a single mother, you used your arms to strongly uproot the rice seedlings, transplant them on rice fields and harvest the rice grains after a few months. You used your strong arms to pound and manually mill the greener rice grains up and down then filter them using “Bilao” to make it into whiter rice grains.
Your Hands
As a single mother, you used your hands to prepare “Buli” or “Pandan” fibers, weave and design them properly into a local mat for sale. You used your hands to catch fishes along the shallow river and pick up shells on the shoreline with your siblings and children. You used your hands to wash the clothes of your children and grandchildren then press these clothes after drying. You used your hand to put the wet face towel on his/her forehead when he/she has fever. You used your hands too in giving foods to the very young children and elderly people around you.
Your Waist
As a single mother, either be sunny day or rainy day, you bent your waist the whole day while planting rice seedlings on the rice fields for a little payment or non-monetized payment of your labor instead, work exchange.
Your Hips
As a single mother, you sit on your hips almost the whole night just to weave and finish intentionally the local mat so that you can sell it then later buy some foods for your children, grandchildren and sister.
Your Legs
As a single mother, you used your legs in walking distantly about two kilometers away from your home to your work place and do the same routine when going home from work place to your home. Your legs consumed all the energy reserved in walking after the whole-day work. You also walked in going to the church to attend Holy Mass with your sisters on Saturday evening regularly. You bent your knees whenever you pray.
Your Feet
As a single mother, you used your feet not only to separate the greener rice grains from its husk but also to clean up the house floor. You used your feet to stand up firmly against all tough moments that trying to bring you down but they fail. You courageously stood still and never give up.
Thus, for this special day wherein everybody celebrates the Mother’s Day and for this special occasion wherein every member of the family comes together, what is a Mother’s Day without your loving and caring mother? What is a Mother’s Day without her presence?
In times of sorrow, can you still remember the last few words of a dying person that you love most? I would like to share with you the last few words and cries of my loving mother that might break your heart and bring your eyes into tears.
10. While on her bed, my mother said with eyes closed, “Catawan, engangaro wan Mo cami. Pano na cami a pinalsa Mo?” (Zambal)
(Tagalog) “Diyos ko, Kaawaan Mo kami. Paano na kami na nilalang Mo?”
(English) “God, have mercy on us. How about us of your creation?”
At the age of 94, my mother still remember the Almighty God who created everything. In her entire life, she frequently prayed to God and attended the Holy Mass regularly.
9. On her bed, my mother said with her eyes closed, “Indo, Caca, taganan moyo co. Indo, Caca, taganan moyo co.” “Takpan! Takpan!”(Zambal)
My mother was a good helper. She was very kind to children and elders.
2. Still on her bed, my mother said softly with eyes closed, “Abuloyon moyo co.” (Zambal)
(Tagalog) “Tulungan ninyo ako.”
(English) “Help me.”
My mother helped her family. She really loved them so much.
1. Still on her severe body condition, my mother uttered softly, “Ya.” (Zambal)
(Tagalog) “Oo.”
(English) “Yes.”
My mother had strong influential words that anybody should decide and follow. She disciplined, guided and mentored us appropriately.
My mother just nodded her head when I talked and asked her until her complete consciousness had gone.
Yes, my mother was gone but her legacy, advises, courage, greatness, kindness, faith, laughter, memories, dreams and so forth remain in our hearts as we live.
A few days before Christmas, people go to the shopping malls and public markets to buy some gift items for their relatives and friends. I want to go and do the same but I can’t because I am already 95 years old who are sitting on a wheelchair and nobody can bring me there.
A few days before Christmas, people go to Christmas parties and enjoy with their friends and relatives. I want to go and do the same but I have arthritis already and I can’t dance anymore. I have Alzheimer’s disease too and I can’t remember the lyrics of my favorite songs.
On Christmas Day, people rise up early from bed and take a shower. Then, people prepare their Christmas meals. I want to do it the same but I can’t do it anymore by myself. I can’t rise up and there is tremendous leg and back pains every time I move my body.
On Christmas Day, people enjoy eating their meals and having happily chatting with their friends, neighbors and relatives. I want to stay longer with them and feel their presence but I can’t do it anymore. I can’t sit on my wheelchair longer because I get easily tired and there is a back pain. I can’t easily process and feel confused with the various information that I can hear. I get easily sleep on my wheelchair if nobody is interested to talk with me.
On Christmas Day, people hear the Holy Mass and visit some tourist spots. I want to go with them but nobody invites me. I used to stay at home sitting on my wheelchair or lying on my bed. I have many thoughts, feel hopeless and lonely.
Before New Year’s Day, people go to the supermarkets and buy food items. I want to do the same but I can’t go there by myself and I have no enough money to buy some foods.
On New Year’s Eve, people cook several foods and prepare them on the dining table with fresh fruits and cold desserts. I want to do it the same but I can’t do it anymore.
On New Year’s Eve, people go outside their houses. They light up their pyrotechnics and firecrackers on the sky. I want to view these things even on my window but I can’t see these lights clearly anymore because I have both eyes cataract. Instead, I tend to sleep on my bed calmly.
On New Year’s Day, people hear the Holy Mass again then they go to shopping malls and have a walk on some tourist spots. I want to go with them but again nobody invites me and brings me there.
Thanks God, I am still alive,
Coz I have the mission to survive,
And have the human rights for life.
They need my presence and tender, loving care,
Thus, they always ready to support my basic needs.
Thanks God, I am still alive,
To breathe the fresh air and hear the sound of the wind,
To see the raindrops falling on the green leaves,
To smell the favorite foods on the table,
And ready to eat fruits and drink milk any time.
Thanks God, I am still alive.
To hear the Holy Mass every Sunday,
To strengthen my faith on Him and receive His blessings,
To glorify and praise Him because of the wonderful things,
That He had given to me including my own life.
What are your wishes this Christmas? Is it the Christmas gift or Christmas bonus? Is it more than Christmas gift and Christmas bonus? Definitely, people have so many wishes this Christmas. Let me cite some of these wishes.
LOVE is the greatest wish this Christmas. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day, being the core of Christmas celebration worldwide. Jesus Christ serves as our symbol of love. The genuine love that He wants us to spread out across the nations. The genuine love that He wants us feel free in our own family. The genuine love that He wants us to share with the less fortunate citizens, sick people, poorest ones and persons with disabilities. How can we do that? So simple, provide them what they need and what they deserve to receive without biases, inequality, discriminations, abuses, frauds, overpowering system and taking their rights, privileges and opportunities for granted.
CARE and CONCERN is a great wish this Christmas. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, came into our lives because He has the great care and concern with us. He is always there and ready to help us in times of difficulties. How about us? Do we show care and concern with ourselves? Do we show care and concern with others? Do we show care and concern with our environment where we live in? How can we do that? Perhaps, it is the best time for us to reflect things this Christmas. We may ask our self, “What I had done this year that something worthwhile and humane?” and “What are my plans to improve those things better?”
PEACE is the ultimate goal of every citizen of the country this Christmas season. Christmas signifies birth and not death. How can a person be happy if someone whom he/she loves much lost? How can we attain world peace if they are currently doing violence? How can we do that? Perhaps, a person should have a peace of mind. He/She should have a peaceful relationship with his/her own family and the people around him/her. Always remember that a mistake cannot be corrected by another mistake regardless of whatever laws that prevail in the country.
HAPPINESS is an absolute dream of everyone. Happiness never relies on the acquisition of the worldly things. It does not measure alone one’s education, achievement or success in life. But rather, if love, care, concern and peace are completely present in every individual then absolute happiness follows. Did you know that these are the wishes of God for us this Christmas?
“I am telling you. Be kind to others. Help others who need your help. God bless you.”
Hands-on 